THE mothers of two Welsh Guards serving in Afghanistan have spoken of their fears that their sons could be the next to be killed in action.

Gina Hill from Prestatyn and Maria Dawson from Kinmel Bay told of their agony after the death rate of armed services personnel in Afghanistan hit an average of one every three days.

Gina’s son Richard, 20, is a driver with 2nd Company, while Maria’s son Karl Evans, 28, is a driver and radio operator with 3rd Company. Both are based in Helmand Province.

Richard, who married wife Jodie just seven months ago, is on his first tour, while Karl served in Iraq five years ago and is on his second.

Maria said: “I’m so worried, it’s awful when you hear of soldiers killed or hurt out there, you worry your son will be next. You don’t know whether it’s going to be Karl or Richard or somebody else we know.

“You don’t hear from them when they’re out on patrol. The most you hear is once every three weeks.

“My son’s signed up for another five years which makes me even more worried, but I support whatever he chooses to do.”

The mums are behind their boys but cannot wait for them to return later this summer for two weeks.

Maria, 50, and Gina, 39, work together at Cookbook Cafe in Rhyl.

Gina, whose 10-year-old son Owen is keen to follow his brother into the Army, receives regular texts informing her of incidents involving the armed forces in Afghanistan.

“I receive messages which tell you when someone has been killed or injured,” she said. “It doesn’t tell you who they are or their company but says the next of kin have been informed. I’ve had loads of them lately.”

Reports suggest the death rate equals 15 deaths per 1,000 personnel per year served.

Maria added: “I’m as worried about the psychological effect of what happens out there as anything else, because it can really have an impact.

“I’m sure Karl will be better when he returns from Afghanistan as he has done it before, but when he came back from Iraq he would walk down the street looking for snipers.

“He’s be shouting ‘look out’ and it takes them a while to get out of that because they don’t know where they are. It affects them that badly.

Gina added: “It would be great if they packed up and came home but it’s their job, and it’s what they want to do.”